Instructional Videos

Basic Photography by Mark Comon

The six week basic class has now been professionally taped and is available for you to own. Mark Comon's Basic Photography video course includes six one-hour lessons for all photographers. Basic Photography is ideally suited both for the snapshooter with little or no photo experience as well as the experienced shutterbug. Learn to create stunning images, apply the "rules" of composition, exposure and light. Avoid the pitfalls and improve your photography in every situation. You will enjoy Basic Photography time-and-time again. Basic Photography DVD's may be ordered individually for $24.99 each or as the complete set of six DVD's for $119.99. DVD's are in stock now. Fill out the order form (Available in Adobe PDF format) or call (310) 375-7014 for more details.

Lesson 1. The Camera

Which camera is best for you? Shutter speeds for creativity. Lens openings and f-stops. Wide, normal, telephoto lenses. Which film is best?

Lesson 2. The Image

Determine the best opportunity. Capture the decisive moment. The basics of composition. Look at the details.

Lesson 3. The Exposure

Midtone and proper exposure. Use your camera meter properly. A 35mm Zone System. Mark's rule of exposure.

Lesson 4. The Light

Use light to your advantage. Understand quality of light. See the direction of light. Relish the color of light.

Lesson 5. Flash and Focus

Master electronic flash. Bounce and fill-in flash. Focus to concentrate attention. Depth of field.

Lesson 6. Improve your image

Creative filters. The ultimate image quality. Sharing your photographs.

Jumpstart Photoshop

by Rob Sheppard (Editor for both PC Photo and Outdoor Photographer)

These videos are easy-to-follow tutorials done by a photographer for photographers to help them use Adobe Photoshop (up to Version CS) and Photoshop Elements.

Printable order form for videos

is based on version 5/5.5, but does include version 6.0 references where important. Because this video is based on core elements of Photoshop for the photographer, it really applies to most versions of Photoshop commonly used today. Contents of the video include:

 The best ways of navigating Photoshop
 Important image management tips
 Why the Image/Adjust menu is key for photographers
 5 ways to adjust the vital elements of tonality and contrast of a photograph
 5 ways to effectively control color
 How to control your adjustments to very precise areas
 How to easily straighten crooked horizons
 How to use the Ansel Adams edge darkening technique
 And of course, much more

goes to the next level beyond Jumpstart Photoshop and helps you understand and use Layers for your photography. There is no question that layers can add a level of complexity to Photoshop that is very intimidating. Jumpstart Photoshop Layers includes:

 A real-world explanation of how layers work and how to think about them
 How to get into layers by using adjustment layers
 Duplicate layers and their many uses from experimenting to multiplayer adjustments to special effects
 How to use layer masks
 Making effective use of selections and layers H
 How to get layers to interact or “talk” to each other, including the four most important photographic layer modes

Enlightened Photography means using the power of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to bring out the photographic best from your images. This is a program for all photographers, to take your photos to the next level by enhancing and enriching your pictures in the digital darkroom of Photoshop. Enlightened Photography includes:

 A four-step process for putting all Photoshop adjustments into a context that you can use again and again
 The power of Levels revealed and explained; why setting black correctly is a critical step for great prints
 A simple, yet very powerful technique for color correction
 How to control the eye of your viewer so you can ensure they see what is most important in your photos
 How to deal with too light and too dark parts of an image that photographers always face
 How to effectively use the powerful sharpening tool, Unsharp Mask, and why it is a critical finishing stepHow to best use layers, layer masks and adjustment layers for outstanding levels of control on your image
 The video uses Photoshop CS, but all techniques work with Photoshop 5, 6, 7 and CS, plus Photoshop Elements (specific notes are given when Elements varies from Photoshop).

is a superb program for photographers. It offers so much for the average photographer at a great price. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of instruction available to help photographers make the most of it. I have distilled key elements of Elements as they apply to photographer into an 83-minute how-to video. I’ve also worked hard to present this in a photographer-friendly way.

There is a lot of power in this software for all photographers — this video will help you start using that power now. You don’t need to know everything about Photoshop Elements in order to gain from its potential and easily get your money’s worth from it. Elements video include:

 Ways to handle and protect your image in Elements
 How you can best adjust brightness and contrast of a photo
 How to effectively control color
 How to use special Elements tools such as Fill-Flash and Adjust Backlighting
 How you can gain real photographic control with selections
 How to straighten horizons T
 The Ansel Adams edge technique Cloning tips
 And, of course, much more...  

continues on from the first tape of the Jumpstart Photoshop Elements series to help you develop your skill with Elements, no matter what version of Elements you have (both Part 1 and Part 2 are totally applicable to all versions of Photoshop Elements). There is a lot of power in Elements for all photographers - this video will help you refine your use of that power. Just like Part 1, this tape is geared toward photographers. Being a photographer myself, I want to be sure you gain the photographic benefits of Photoshop Elements. If you want to make the best use of Elements, including the very powerful layers, Jumpstart Photoshop

Elements, Part 2, speaks to you. Contents of the 83 minute video include:

 Understanding and using layers
 Getting the most out of adjustment layers
 How to use duplicate layers
 Easy soft-focus effect Layers to control sky and ground separately
 Changing specific colors with layers
 Darkening weak skies
 Color correction filters
 Working with text layers
 Saving layers
 Sharpening technique
 Edge darkening
 Understanding resolution
 A summary of new features in Elements 2.0
 and, of course, much more